FUSE#5

On Kitsch
We love to hate kitsch
1. 2.
We also hate that we love kitsch,
"Omg".
"OMG!!"
But why? This simple question piqued a curiosity,
which blossomed into a fascination and before long, an obsession.
Chapter 1: Pretty Ugly?
Kitsch. It looks and feels cheap, almost as if it was
churned out without much thought to ride on the
coattails of a dying fad. Eagar to please, it is always
agreeable and unashamed of leeching onto sentimentality
for that instant connection with the onlooker.
3.
It may be tempting to write off kitsch as having
superficial appeal: a clumsy caricature of the motifs
that move us. But every passing remark, chuckle
and (dare we say) double-take inspired by the
kitsch around us says otherwise.
4.
• Trying really hard to imitate an iconic motif (the luxury of tulips hark back to
Tulipmania of the 17th century, water droplets to indicate freshness and the
luxury of being able to have it imported whilst fresh earnest
• Attempt(s) to be alluring or to appeal to sentiment coy
• In fact, trying so hard to appeal to us that it seems as if it’s trying to
fool us cunning
The earnest, coy and cunning nature of kitsch that draws us in are the same qualities we
desire in art.
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